New Study Proposes Clinical Framework For Cannabinoids To Treat Chronic Pain, Address Opioid Crisis

A research paper recently published in Harm Reduction Journal urges the medical community to pursue the use of cannabinoid treatments instead of opioids for their patients. The study's authors argue that cannabinoids can be a safe and effective alternative to opioids for the treatment of chronic pain.

And, more importantly, a decrease or substitution of opioids ultimately reduces the dangers of the deadly fentanyl crisis, which has taken the lives of over 109,000 Americans in the 12 months ending in January 2023. 

A Glaring Example: From Pain Meds To Heroin

For starters, the study notes that in the 1960s, over 80% of people entering treatment for heroin addiction started their habit with heroin. Now, about 80% of people who use heroin begin with legal pain prescriptions for opioids first and then moved to heroin.

Possible Solution: Cannabis Because It Helps With Pain

Based on a comprehensive review of the literature and epidemiological evidence to date, wrote the study authors, “cannabinoids stand to be one of the most interesting, safe, and accessible tools available to attenuate the devastation resulting from the misuse and abuse of opioid narcotics.”

They argue that the opioid epidemic and the broadening of cannabinoid accessibility, though still devoid of prescribing guidelines due to marijuana's federal status, make it more important than ever to have a clear and evidence-based framework for the use of cannabinoids in clinical practice.

The Study

A survey of 2,897 medical cannabis patients found that, of the 34% who used opioid-based pain medication in the prior six months, 97% decreased their opioid consumption with medical cannabis and 81% said cannabis alone was more effective than cannabis plus opioids.

A retrospective cross-sectional survey of 1,513 dispensary members indicated that 76.7% of regular opioid-using respondents reduced their use after starting medical marijuana. When these participants were asked what they like most about cannabis, the most common response was that it helped with pain.

Can Cannabinoids Alleviate The Opioid Crisis?

Researchers pointed to a 2018 longitudinal analysis, which showed that prescriptions for all opioids in the U.S. fell by 14.4% when medical cannabis dispensaries were opened, particularly for hydrocodone and morphine, but also for benzodiazepines, stimulants and other medications known to be over-prescribed and addictive.

Cut Down On Opioids And Fentanyl Overdoses Will Drop

The trend, say the authors, has extended to fentanyl-related overdose deaths because the reduction in opioid prescriptions has also led to a reduction in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. This is significant because fentanyl is fueling the ongoing overdose crisis in the U.S. 

See the full study HERE. You might want to send a copy to your physician.